Self-adjusting holder for flat articles



L. E. GREEN TOOL HOLDER March 31, 1959 Filed June 2, 1955 40 F G 5INVENTOR.

' LAWRENCE E. GREEN BY g n M FIG. 4

ATTORNEY March 31, 1959 D. SHECHTMAN 2,379,897

' SELF-ADJUSTING HOLDER FOR FLAT ARTICLES Filed March 29, 1954 3Sheets-Sheet 2 v V A NTOR.

55 .0% J' Rec/51m March 31, 1959 Dfs' EcHTMAN SELF-ADJUSTING HOLDER FORFLAT ARTICLES Filed March 29. 1954 s Sheets-Sheet s kmvvvvrw A I NVENTOR.

Y W W United States Patent SELFADJUSTING HOLDER FOR FLAT ARTICLES DavidShechtman, Brooklyn, NY.

Application March 29, 1954, Serial No. 419,313

6 Claims. (Cl. 211-43) The present invention relates to holders for flatarticles, such as books, phonograph records, tape recorder reels or thelike, and particularly to a holder comprising a base having 'end wallswhich are movable toward and away from each other to firmly hold anynumber of flat objects within the capacity of the holder, the end wallsbeing arranged for joint self-adjusting movement so that the books,records or other items supported on thenbase are always locatedlongitudinally centrally of the base irrespective of the number, heightor width of such articles.

More particularly still the holder of my invention is ararnged so thatthe end walls are spring urged toward each other, and means are providedto assure that the movement under urge of the spring or springs will bean even one so that the ends will not move rapidly into position againstone another or against articles between them, thus minimizing noise ofoperation and preventing damage to the articles between the ends, andpro Viding time for convenient insertion or removal of such articles.

Additionally, the end elements which have heretofore been termed endwalls are provided with pockets therein in which pencils, bookmarks,paper clips, cigarettes,

, paper scraps, etc., may be deposited. The device additionally may bearranged to provide a record turntable at the center of the base with aphonograph record holder at either side of this turntable, or to providea tape recorder unit at the center of the base with a tape reel holderat either side. It may also contain a lamp attach ment for illuminatingthe articles held thereby, and an alarm clock to stir the user fromover-absorption in selected readings or listening.

It is an object of the invention to provide a holder for flat articleshaving end walls slidable toward and away from each other on a base.

It is another object of the invention to provide such a holder in whichthe ends are connected for joint self-. adjusting movement, and arespring-urged toward each other so that articles placed therebetween willalways be located centrally of the base. I

It is another object of vthe invention to provide a holder of the typedescribed in which means are provided to resist the urge of the springsand assure that the movement of the ends toward each other he at arelatively constant slow rate in order that noise of inserting orremoving articles and damage to books, records or other articles betweenthe ends be minimized.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a holder of the typedescribed arranged to permit the placement of an alarm clock, radio, orsimilar unit be tween books or other articles, the clock or other unitbeing placed on a movable. platform so that it is always centrallylocated as respects the base.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of the classdescribed having a centrally located record turntable or tape recorderunit with racks at each side of the turntable or unit, the racks beingarranged 2,879,897 Patented Mar. 31, 1959 2 to hold a plurality ofrounded articles such as records or tape or film reels.

It is a still further object to provide such a device having a lamparranged to illuminate books and other articles in the holder.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent when thefollowing description is considered in connection with the annexeddrawings, in which: a

Figure l is a front elevation of one form of-the holder of my invention,shown as applied to a book holder, a portion of the base being brokenaway'to sho the internal construction;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 1,the view being taken on the plane of the line 3--3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical section of the device of Figure 1, theview being taken on the plane of the line 4-4 of Figure 3, the booksshown in Figure 1 being omitted;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical crosssectional view on theplane of the line 5-5 of Figure-3 showing particularly the arrangementof certain racks and gears;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of a friction brake arrangement, the viewbeing taken on the plane of the line 66 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a front elevation of a holder in accordanc with myinvention, the holder being utilized to hold an alarm clock-radiotogether with a plurality of books. This view also shows the use of atubular lamp in a fixture fastened to the base, which lamp illuminatesthe clock, radio dial andbooks;

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the device of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a front elevation with portions in section showing anotherholder of the invention for round articles, shown as embodying a recordturntable and drive therefore together with a holder on either side ofthe turntable for holding phonograph records or other round articles;

Figure 10 is a top plan view, partially in section, of the device ofFigure 9; and

Figure 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the plane of theline 1111 of Figure 9.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figures 1 through 6,my invention is shown applied to a book holder and comprises a hollowbase generally designated 20, which has a top 21, depending sides andends 22, and a bottom cover.23. Fixed to the cover 23 are feet 24 whichare adapted to rest upon a surface such as a table and to support thehollow base 20 thereupon; Feet 24 may be rubber, such as suction cups,to provide adherence to the supporting surface.

Mounted on the flat upper surface of the member 21 are two book ends 25,each of which comprises a'hori-' zontal portion 26 and a verticalportion 27 and each of which is provided with a downwardly extendingprojection 28 which extends through a slot 30 in the member 21, the slotextending substantially for the full width of the base 20 and lyingcentrally of the member 21. Each of the book ends 25 is preferablyprovided with a handle and pocket formed by a wall 31, these pocketsbeing adapted to contain pencils, cigarettes, paper clips, scrap paper,bookmarks and the like, and serving as handles for moving ends 25.

Fixed to the depending portions 28 of the book ends 25 are toothed racks32, these racks extending from the book end 25 at one end of the basetoward the opposite end of the base and being guided by means of theguide members 33 (Figures 3, 4 and 5), which are suitably supported fromthe lower surface of the top member 21. Block-like ends 34 formed on theracks 32 are fixed to the portions 28 of the book ends by any suitablemeans such for example as the screws 35.

A strip 36 extends transversely across the base 20 heneath the topmember 21, the strip being bent up at its ends and fixed in any suitablemanner, as for example by welding, to the downwardly depending front andrear flanges 22 of the base 20. Strip 36 is provided with a central bore37 in which is rotatably supported a shaft 38, the opposite end of whichextends into an aperture 39 formed as part of the slot in the member 21.

Fixedly mounted on shaft 38 beneath the lower surface of member 21 is apinion 40 which meshes with the racks 32. Also fixedly mounted on shaft38 beneath the pinion 40 is a drum 41. Extending about the drum 41 is abrake band 42 the bent ends of which extend to the right (as seen inFigures 4, 5 and 6) and are clamped in position to exert an adjustablefrictional drag on the drum by means of the screw 43 and wing nut 44.

The screw 43 is retained in position by means of a fixed stud 45 whichextends downwardly from one of the guides 33 and is provided with ahorizontal hole in which the screw 43 is positioned. Extending between acollar 46 on the screw 43 and one portion of the brake band 42 is a coilspring 47. By means of the wing nut 44 the pressure exerted upon thebrake band 42 may thus be adjusted and the amount of frictional dragexerted upon the drum 41, and thereby upon pinion 40 and ends 25, maylikewise be adjusted.

Although a friction brake has been shown it may be desirable at times toprovide a different arrangement such for example as an air or otherfiuid dashpot. Such a dashpot might be utilized with the piston thereofconnected to one of the racks and the cylinder fixed to the base, or ifdesirable a pair of such dashpots might be utilized with one connnectedto each rack.

Each of the block extensions 34 of the racks 32 has a projection 50thereon which projections may be in the form of screws tapped into theblock 34. Extending between these projections 50 and lugs 51 formed onthe interior surfaces of the depending side walls 21 of the base 20 aresymmetrically located springs 52 which springs thus urge the racks andthe book ends fastened thereto toward the center.

Due to the fact that, as stated, racks 32 mesh with pinion 40 at alltimes, the book ends 25 move toward each other and are in all positionsequally spaced from the transverse center line of the base 20.Consequently, whether one or a number of books be placed on the base 20between the book ends 25, those books will always be centered.Additionally, due to the arrangement of the racks and pinion the bookends may be moved apart by merely grasping one of the book ends sincethe mutual adjustment of the pinion rack tensions will make the otherone necessarily move with the one operated and to the same extent.

Due to the use of the brake drum 41 and its cooperating brake band 42,the book ends will not slam together when they are released at anyposition, but will instead come gently and slowly together because ofthe frictional drag exerted by the brake which drag may be regulated bythe adjustment of the wing nut 44 on its screw 43. This gives time toinsert or remove books conveniently.

As has been indicated hereinabove and as is shown particularly by thedotted line positions of the book ends 25 in Figure l, the book endswill move together and may serve to support, for example, two books suchas indicated at 48 or a larger number of books as is desired. Moreover,the center point of the entire width of the book stack will always be atthe center of the holder.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, there is shown therein a holder of thesame type which has heretofore been described, adapted to the placing ofan article such as an alarm clock-radio combination 55 between books inthe holder. The construction of the holder in this instance is identicalwith that of the preceding figures with the single exception that aplatform 56 is provided, this platform being arranged to slide along thetop portion 21 of the base 20. The platform 56 is provided with thedownwardly extending ribs 57 which project through the slot 30 and arelocated at the ends of platform 56 to assure longitudinal movement ofthe platform. Thus as books are added to or removed from the holder theends 25 are accordingly positioned and always in such a manner that thetotal width of the books plus the width of the clockradio is evenlydivided on either side of the transverse center line of the holder base.

With an arrangement of this type the presence of the friction brake ordashpot heretofore described is especially advantageous since itprevents damage to articles supported on the platform 56 which articlesmay be fragile.

Also shown in Figures 7 and 8, is a lamp fixture comprising a pedestal58 carrying a reflector 60 pivotally fixed thereto in which a tubularlamp such as a fluorescent lamp may be placed. This lamp is arranged sothat light emanating therefrom falls upon the radio dials, clock dialsand the title-bearing portions of the books. Lamp 60 could be part ofthe centerpiece 55 where desired.

The radio-clock centerpiece may be replaced by a tape recording unit ora recording and/or reproducing phonograph. In such cases the utility ofthe holder can be extended by adapting the end members 25 to accept andto safely store rounded articles such as disk records or tape or filmreels. Figures 9, l0 and 11 show such an arrangement, providing arecord-playing turntable (supplied with the usual tone" arm, not shown)together with a pair of holders adapted to support disk phonographrecords or other round flat objects on either side of the record player.

Referring now to these figures, a record turntable, designated 61, isrotatably mounted on a spindle 62. The spindle 62 is rigidly afiixed toa strap 63 which extends beneath the top member 21 of the base 20 and isconnected to the downwardly extending projections 64 of secondary endwall members 65. The slot 30 in the base member 21 is made considerablywider than in the previously described holder in order to accommodatethe spindle 62. The strap 63 rigidly interconnects the secondary endwalls 65 and supports the turntable 61, so that these elements as a unitcan slide back and forth along slot 30.

The secondary end walls 65 are connected to the main end walls 25 in anysuitable manner to cage-in round fiat articles. In Figure 9 the endwalls at the left are shown interconnected by means of springs 66 whichsprings are arranged in an arcuate form as is clearly indicated inFigure 11 and form supports for disk phonograph records or tape reelssuch as are indicated at 67. At the right hand side of Figure 9 is showna different mode of forming supports for the phonograph records or tapereels 67 which comprises the use of rods 68 fastened in the secondaryend wall member 65 and extending through holes in the end wall of member25 whose handle-pockets can now be used to hold reels or blank reservedisks.

The turntable 61 is driven in any suitable manner such for example as bymeans of the motor 70, the shaft 72 of which extends upwardly throughthe member 21 and above the member 21 carries a drive wheel 71 whichfrictionally engages the downwardly extending rim of the turntable 61.The motor in this case is supported upon a forward extension of thestrap 63 which connects the secondary end wall members 65. The shaft ofmotor 70 extends through a slot 73 in the base member 21 thus permittingthe longitudinal movement of the turntable 61 together with its drivemotor 70. The remaining elements are as in the preceding figures, withpinion 40 mounted on fixed strip 36, here shown bifurcated to allow formotor 70.

It will be seen that with the above arrangement the ends 25 may be movedby grasping a pocket member, 31, thus causing both ends to moveoutwardly. When the same number of records is placed between the ends 25and 65 at the left and the ends 25 and 65 at the right, the

appearance of the device will be as in Figure 9 with the recordturntable centered on the base 20. If a greater number of records isplaced in one side than in the other then the turntable and end walls 65will as a unit take up an olf-center position and will readjustthemselves relative to end walls 25 so that the center point of thedistance represented by the total thickness of all the records plus thedistance between the two .secondary end walls 65 will be centeredlongitudinally of the base 20 and of the end walls 25.

In all forms of the invention the holder end walls are coupled for jointmovement in reverse directions and the ends are urged'inwardly byself-adjusting springs. In all modifications the parts are madesufficiently heavy to provide considerable inertia and braking means aresupplied thus assuring that the inward movement of the holder endWalls'be smooth, even and without a slamming action.

Thus in all forms the holder automatically adjusts to the number ofbooks, phonograph records or other articles between the ends and alwaysarranges the articles symmetrically as respects the transverse centerline of the device. Books or records can easily be inserted withoutforcing and when such articles are removed the holder ends move inwardlyat a relatively slow and constant rate thus preventing damage to thearticles and minimizing noise due to banging on the base or the partsimpacting heavily upon one another.

The various devices are usuable on substantially any horizontal surfacesuch as desks, tables, or the like; are stable and convenient tooperate; and are durable while at the same time being inexpensivelymanufactured.

In place of the brake band or dashpot, other friction devices,preferably adjustable, may be used to slow up the movement of the bookends toward each other. Reliance may be placed for this purpose upon thefriction between the plate 25 and the upper surface 20 of the base,which friction may be made adjustable in any desired manner, or may beleft unadjustable where desired.

While I have described preferred forms of my invention it will beunderstood that various modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit thereof. I wish therefore to be limited not by the foregoingdescription, but on the contrary solely by the claims granted to me.

What is claimed is:

1. In a book holder or the like, in combination, a base, a pair of bookends slidably supported on said base for movement longitudinally of saidbase, a rack fixed to each of said book ends and extending toward theother of said book ends, a freely pivoted pinion meshing with both saidracks to assure movement thereof to equal extents in oppositedirections, spring means continuously urging said book ends toward eachother, a drum fixed to said pinion and means frictionally engaging saiddrum to control the movement of said racks and said book ends under urgeof said spring means and minimize the impact of said book ends upon eachother and upon articles therebetween.

2. In a book holder or the like, in combination, a base, said basecomprising a plane top surface having depending flanges and a bottomcover forming a hollow enclosure, a pair of book ends slidably supportedon the plane surface of said base for movement longitudinally of saidbase, a slot in said plane top surface of said base, a downwardlyextending projection on each of said book ends, said projectionsextending through said slot, a rack fixed to each of said projections,said racks lying within said base enclosure and extending horizontallytoward the other book end, guiding members fixed to the undersurface ofsaid base and guiding said racks for horizontal movement, a freelypivoted pinion mounted within said base enclosure on a vertical axis,said pinion being located between said racks and in mesh with saidracks, spring means attached to said racks continuously urging said bookends toward the transverse center of said base, a drum fixed to saidpinion and an adjustable band engaging the surface of said drum tocontrol the movement of said racks and the book ends under urge of saidsprings and prevent impact of said book ends upon each other or articleslocated therebetween.

3. In a book holder, in combination, a base, said base comprising aplane top surface having depending flanges and a bottom coverforming ahollow enclosure, a pair of book ends slidably supported on the planesurface of said base for movement longitudinally of said base, a slot insaid plane top surface of said base, a downwardly extending projectionon each of said book ends, said projections extending through said slot,a rack fixed to each of said projections, said racks lying within saidbase enclosure and each extending horizontally toward the other bookend, a pinion mounted within said base enclosure on a vertical axis,said pinion being located between and in mesh with both said racks,spring means urging said book ends toward the transverse center of saidbase, a platform slidably mounted on said base between said book ends,and projections extending downwardly from said platform into said slotin the plane top surface of said base to thereby guide said platform formovement longitudinally of said base while retaining it between saidbook ends.

4. A holder for flat round articles comprising, in combination, a base,a pair of main end members slidably mounted on said base for movementtoward and away from each other, a pair of secondary end members betweensaid main end members, each of said secondary end members cooperatingwith a respective one of said main end members to hold objects betweenthem, means connecting said secondary end members to each other forconjoint movement in the same direction, a unit supported upon saidconnecting means, said unit being located between said secondary endmembers, means adjustably connecting each said main end memberrespectively to its cooperating secondary end member forming acradle-like round article support, means coupling said main end membersfor conjoint movement in opposite directions, and means urging said mainend members toward each other whereby the center of the total dimensioncomprising the distance between said secondary end walls and the totalthickness of articles supported on said cradle-like support lies in theplane of the transverse center line of said holder.

5. A holder for phonograph records comprising, in combination, a base, apair of main end members slidably mounted on said base for movementtoward and away from each other, a pair of secondary end members, meansconnecting said secondary members to each other for conjoint movement inthe same direction, a record turntable supported upon said connectingmeans, said turntable being located between said secondary end members,means adjustably connecting each main end member to a respectivesecondary end member, said means forming record supports, a slot in saidbase, projections on said main end members extending through said slot,racks fixed to said projections, each said rack extending parallel tosaid base in a direction toward the opposite main end member, a pinionrotatably fixed to said base, said pinion lying between and meshing withsaid racks, and spring means urging said main end walls toward eachother whereby said main end walls are always located at equal distancesfrom the transverse center line of said base, and said turntable,together with said secondary ends, shifts its position in accordancewith the difference between the number of records supported between onemain end member and its respective secondary end member and the numberof records supported between the other main end member and itsrespective secondary end member.

6. A holder for phonograph records comprising, in combination, a base, apair of main end members slidably mounted on said base for movementtoward and away from each other, a pair of secondary end members, meansconnecting said secondary members to each other for conjoint movement inthe same direction, a record turntable supported upon said connectingmeans, said turntable being located between said secondary end members,means adjustably connecting each main end member to a respectivesecondary end member, said means forming record supports, a slot in saidbase, projections on said main end members extending through said slot,racks fixed to said projections, each said rack extending parallel tosaid base in a direction toward the opposite main end member, a pinionrotatably fixed to said base, said pinion lying between and meshing withsaid racks, spring means urging said main end members toward each otherwhereby said main end members are always located at equal distances fromthe transverse center line of said base and said turntable together withsaid secondary end members shifts its position in accordance with thedifference between the number of records supported between one main endmember and its respective secondary end member and the number of recordssupported between the other main end member and its respective secondaryend member, and means for braking the movement of said main end members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS153,227 Walker July 21, 1874 941,201 Keller Nov. 23, 1909 1,032,385Douglass July 16, 1912 2,566,800 Hutcherson Sept. 4, 1951 FOREIGNPATENTS 2,209 Great Britain of 1868

